Overview

Heavy precipitation at the end of November 2012 in Panama caused floods, landslides and damage to
livelihoods and communications in the western provinces of Colón and Panama, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. Five people were killed and 6,500 families were affected; 2,570 damaged houses were reported. (IFRC, 20 Dec 2012)

Summary: 52,450 Swiss francs were allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 30 November 2012 to support the Red Cross Society of Panama to carry out assessments and deliver immediate assistance to some 750 beneficiaries. On 20 December, the budget was revised to reassign expenditure lines and increase the number of beneficiaries to 2,757 families (13,785 beneficiaries).

Natural disasters and conflict worldwide have left many people in need in recent weeks. From the devastating effects of Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines to the ongoing recovery operations after Hurricane Sandy swept through the Caribbean, these crises have mobilized the global Red Cross network.

Summary: 52,450 Swiss francs were allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 30 November 2012 to support the Red Cross Society of Panama (RCSP) to carry out assessments and deliver immediate assistance to 750 people for a two-month period and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks.

The heavy rains impacting Panama in late November caused floods, landslides, and affected crops and homes. As a consequence of the precipitation, five people died, 2,570 houses were damaged and 6,500 families were affected.

Summary: 104,620 Swiss francs were allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 7 August 2012 to support the Red Cross Society of Panama (RCSP) in delivering assistance to some 2,500 beneficiaries.

An earthquake with magnitude 5.6 has hit South Khorasan province in Iran, killing at least eight people and injuring 12. As of 6 December, no further information on the impact is available. Typhoon Bopha has made landfall in the southern Philippines on 4 December, carrying winds of up to 160 kilometres an hour. More than 294,000 people have been affected in seven provinces, according to Government estimates. Severe rains have affected at least 6,500 people in Panama, prompting the Government of Panama to declare a state of emergency for the regions of La Chorrera, Capira and Colón.

Storm Bopha is heading toward southern Philippines as thousands of people are evacuating in high-risk areas. The storm is expected to intensify to a typhoon and will make landfall in Northern Mindanao late on Tuesday night. Severe rains have affected at least 6,500 people in Panama prompting the Government of Panama to declare a state of emergency for the regions of La Chorrera, Capira and Colón.

The situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, with heavy fighting in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, Deir al-Zor, Deraa as well as Idlib and Hama provinces.

Summary: Severe rains have affected the Colón and Panamá Provinces in Panamá, causing floods, landslides, disruption of economic activities and access to communities. Initial reports by the government indicate that at least 5,118 persons have been directly affected, although more isolated communities have not yet been reached and current figures are likely to increase. Given the situation, on 25 November the Panamanian government declared state of emergency for the regions of La Chorrera, Capira (Panamá West) and Colón.